December… a joyous month with parties and cozy dinners and presents, but also a month in which it’s easy to feel exhausted and overwhelmed by obligations and everything that happened during the year. To close it out on a calm and anxiety-free note, guess what we suggest?

Yoga! (SHOCKER)

Ok. But not any old kind! Choose forms that accentuate “receiving” over “giving”: Yin, Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra. Relaxing into a posture for a count of 10 slow breaths, sinking into bolsters and blocks to let go completely, or letting yourself be transported by a teacher’s soft voice during a meditation session—all of these practices restore and renew your inner resources. Use these last few weeks of 2016 to thoughtfully prepare the ground for 2017.

Another form of yoga that recharges our batteries—and one that we don’t talk about enough—is Seva, or selfless service. Seva Yoga restocks our energy, revitalizes us and breathes life into those who surround us. To practice it, all you have to have is an open heart and the desire to help others. Saying hello while smiling, holding the door for someone as you exit the métro, taking a benefit yoga class, volunteering—these are gifts that you can offer every day, all year long.

This season, Yogateau urges you to transform your yoga into service. Sharing is caring!